I just looked at the google maps hoping to see where the stores are but it does not easily show. I found a bunch of Indian restaurants, though. Audio shops may really need to up their advertising game. True, it was only by pointing to NoHo Audio and then zooming on the map hoping to see names written and not specifically googling for stores.
Could I be a Retail Wretch?
I started a discussion here this morning to get some feedback on whether an external DAC would make an appreciable improvement over an internal processor’s DAC. During the discussion, I said that I typically visit a local audio dealer, to experience the equipment and then, comparison shop to find the best deal. The particular dealer I was referring to, emails me weekly, sends postcards monthly and catalogs quarterly. It’s always with an invitation to “see and hear the difference”. So I visit, and occasionally buy some small ticket items. But, when it comes to spending thousands on nationally available equipment, I don’t feel any obligation to limit my shopping to that one location.
When I shared my buying habits with the forum, I received responses that said using any brick and mortar stores to demo and then buying elsewhere “cuzz” it’s cheaper is just plain wrong…
I was surprised at that statement. I’m a value oriented person. I enjoy quality items. But I search for them at the best price - is that wrong? If there’s no competitive pricing or added value, why should I feel obligated?
Showing 6 responses by glupson
oddiofyl, We actually had fun there. It was not me who was interested but the one I was with. Bonuses are coming in January or February (I forgot) so he will be back and will not be shopping around much. To add a twist, said amplifier may be cheaper in the store than on the Internet. I am not sure they offer discounts on the Internet. |
"There are 2 shops close to me on Long Island and 4 within walking distance in Manhattan." How far is "walking distance"? Shopping and selling in Manhattan has slightly different reality than shipping from a warehouse in Kansas. Some of the expenses are higher and business model may be aimed more towards people who shop in a different way than you do. In the end, you may be happy you outsmarted the dealer and he may not care about it that much. Win-win situation. A month or so ago, a dealer with showrooms full of nice/expensive products (along with less esoteric, for sure) responded to a seriously-interested youngish prospective buyer with "If I could get a dollar for every person who came in, got interested, and then said he would be back...". He did not seem dismayed, he simply stated the fact in some way. He actually offered significantly lower price on a $5000 amplifier. |
Let’s see if that profit growth will be enough and sustained. They are running on borrowed time and money at this point. Obviously, restructuring plan is betting on expansion. It will be interesting to revisit this topic a year or two from now. All available at the guaranteed lowest price!For whatever it is worth, it seems the problem was not the price but interest in general. https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/05/10/electric-guitar-sales/ |
"In the case of the guitar center, it is them stabbing everyone else. Because they can." Maybe they cannot... "Sales have fallen off sharply in recent years, which, while a problem on its own, is compounded by the fact that brand finds itself sitting under $1 billion in outstanding debt." "Moody’s warned investors that the brand was facing an imminent default with its bondholders. That immediate disaster was held off with an emergency loan renegotiation of $615 million in debt — a relief, perhaps, of the most pressing concern of default." To be continued... |